5 no hassle vaca styles spotted at curlfest

– by Un’ruly Contributor Ieshia McDonald, Intro by Antonia

It’s vacation season for this hemisphere of the world. And if you’re one of the gang that has tickets booked for a place far from  stress, work and your everyday hustle, the last thing you want to think about on your vacation is your hair. So we’ve been on the hunt for low maintenance styles that will give you one less thing to think about on your summer getaway. Luckily, CurlFest took place last month in Brooklyn, New York and was basically a smorgasbord of summer #hairspiration.

The event was curated by Curly Girl Collective, who, per their Facebook page, “is a collective of diverse women joining together to celebrate the awesomeness of Natural Hair.” If, after perusing all the scrumptious strands coming up, you find yourself thinking, “how did I miss such an awesome event!?”,  you can follow Curly Girl Collective on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook so that that never happens again ;0). Enjoy!

1. mini twists

Mini twists are two-strand twists shrunken down about two sizes. Although this style takes a lot of time to create, it’s well worth it. With the proper care mini twists can last up to two weeks or longer. What’s especially great is you can style the twists and wash your hair while still twisted. However, be careful when taking this style down. You have to be especially mindful when untwisting to prevent knots. Moisturize your style daily and apply gel to your edges for upkeep. Mini twists are great for all lengths! For a guide on how to create your own twists, check out Naptural85’s tutorial.

2. box-styled braids

These styles include box braids, Senegalese twists, Havana twists and Marley twists. They’re all perfect for vacationing as your natural hair will be protected from overexposure of sunlight and manipulation. For upkeep, pay attention to retaining moisture and avoid tension on your edges (in other words, don’t braid your hair too tight). To get a refresher on how to take care of your braids or twists, check out our guide: Braids & Twists 101.

3. up dos 

Up dos can range from a high bun to a Janelle Monae-inspired look. While the latter is not necessarily the easiest style to maintain, it’s not the hardest either. Up dos are great for keeping your ends protected; not rubbing against your clothes. However, you won’t get too much mileage out of the look, which might be okay for a simple weekend getaway. Styles such as a high bun can be worn for at least two days with a proper night routine. But if you’re planning on taking a swim, you might want to think twice before you take the plunge, otherwise you’ll find yourself styling it from scratch.

4. summer accessories

Speaking of protective styles, if you’ve decided to bun it up, you can vary your look day-by-day with the right accessories. Large sun hats are a surefire summer staple. But a birdcage hat can really take your look up a notch. And while you’re at it, why not throw in a parasol for a little “upper crust” flavor and sun protection.

5. sew-in

While these lovely ladies’ locks might be their own, you might not be at the point where you have the length you’re yearning for in summer. Luckily, you can always fake a look like theirs with a number of kinky and curly weave options.

Sew-ins are a go-to protective style and when it comes to vacationing it’s no surprise that weaves come in handy here too. They let you play with your hair, but not your hair. Your hair will be mostly, if not all the way, protected from harsh elements and manipulation. However, considering that vacationing usually happens during the hottest months of the year, this style may not be the best for über hot destinations. Also, if you plan on swimming frequently, constantly washing extensions as a result might ware them down. Nevertheless, weaves can last up to two months with proper maintenance and can save you styling time.

Going on vacation this summer? Tell us where you’re going and what style you’ll be rocking. Leave a comment below!